2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Ellen Thompson (Q&A)
Ellen Thompson
General Manager
Mars Snacking Canada
How did you get your start in the CPG business?
I began my career in the CPG industry more than 20 years ago and it’s been an incredibly rewarding journey, one driven by a deep curiosity about what motivates consumers. Even growing up, I was the kid who was so fascinated with brands that I would send companies ideas for new products and new advertising campaigns! That early passion for understanding and creating meaningful consumer experiences has stayed with me and led me to pursue a career with Mars. I have now spent about three quarters of my career with Mars, which has been a natural fit given its strong commitment to consumer-centricity.
Tell us about your proudest career accomplishments.
One of the most defining moments in my career has been leading through the integration of Mars Snacking and Kellanova, bringing together two iconic businesses with more than a century of heritage. As general manager of Mars Snacking Canada, it’s been a privilege to unite beloved brands such as Pringles and Cheez-It alongside legacy favourites such as M&M’s and Snickers, while more importantly bringing our teams and cultures together. Seeing our associates embrace this next chapter and thrive as one organization has been incredibly rewarding. That said, it’s difficult to point to a single accomplishment, because what I'm most proud of is what our teams deliver every day. Our associates are truly the driving force behind our success, and the reason Mars Snacking continues to lead with consumers.
Together, we’ve also strengthened our connection to the communities we serve. A great example is the revival of the iconic holiday display windows in downtown Toronto through our “Wonders of Mars” campaign, an initiative that helped raise 30,000 meals in support of Food Banks Canada. At the same time, we reinforced our long-term dedication to Canada through a $180-million investment in manufacturing across Ontario, including a $40-million investment in our Newmarket snacking plant. These investments ensure we continue to build for the future—supporting local communities, strengthening our supply chain and delivering for Canadian consumers.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I would describe my leadership style as adaptive, grounded in a growth mindset and committed to transparency. In an industry as dynamic as ours, the ability to evolve—whether navigating integration, transformation or shifting consumer expectations—is critical. I believe in creating an environment where associates feel supported and empowered to experiment, challenge thinking and innovate.
What keeps you motivated and inspired in your work?
What motivates me most is the combination of our brands and our people. We operate in an incredibly competitive and fast-moving market, which challenges us to continuously innovate and stay ahead of evolving consumer preferences. It’s energizing to see our teams bring that to life—whether through new product experiences, creative flavour mashups or cultural collaborations. Our brands have stood the test of time because we don’t stand still—we continue to evolve with culture and with our consumers.
Behind all of that are our associates. Seeing their passion, creativity and commitment to building brands that resonate is what inspires me every day. I also love seeing my team succeed and move on to new challenging roles, and watching future leaders of Mars develop across our organization.
What advice would you give future grocery leaders?
My advice would be simple: prioritize connection, do something you love and stay curious. When you step into a new role be curious, ask questions and don’t be afraid to not have all the answers. You can’t be the expert in everything—take the time to invest in truly understanding your associates, your customer and your consumers. When you’re connected to your associates, you build trust and unlock performance. When you’re connected to your customers, you become a stronger, more strategic partner. And when you’re deeply connected to your consumers, you create the kind of innovation and brand experiences that keep you relevant.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I try to stay active and spend as much time as possible with my husband and teenage kids (when they will tolerate me!). On the weekend, you can find us driving the kids to band practice and volleyball games, and during the week I do my best to fit in a few Pilates or hot yoga classes. We enjoy travelling as a family, and we have loved exploring our new Canadian home over the past three years.
Click here for the full list of 2026 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.